Thursday, December 11, 2008

Proud to be an Indian.

Dear All, Whilst I am not qualified to authenticate the veracity of thisarticle, which was forwarded to me by my Cousin in Delhi. It did however,resonate a poignant chord inside me, & therefore, I am passing this on toyou, as my prayer for all members of our Indian Armed Forces.

Regards,

Haresh.--------

1/2 boy 1/2 man-------------

The average age of the army man is 19 years.He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances isconsidered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, notold enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never reallycared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash hisfather's, but he has never collected unemployment dole either.

He's a recent college graduate; he was probably an average student from oneof the Kendriya Vidyalayas, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a tenyear old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him whenhe left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. Helistens to rock and roll or hip -hop or country or gazals or swing and a 155mmhowitzer.

He is 5 or 7 kilos lighter now than when he was at home because he is workingor fighting the insurgents or standing gaurd on the icy Himalayas from beforedawn to well after dusk or he is at Mumbai engaging the terrorists. He hastrouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field stripa rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can reciteto you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either oneeffectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spiritor individual dignity. His pride and self-respect, he does not lack.

He is self-sufficient.He has two sets of combat dress: he washes one and wears the other.He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry.He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He cancook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry,his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battlewhen you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were hishands.He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and stillfind ironic humor in it all.He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his shortlifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat andis unashamed.

He feels every note of the Jana Gana Mana vibrate through his body while atrigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away'those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hands fromtheir pockets, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right tobe disrespectful.Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying theprice for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.He is your nation's Fighting Man that has kept this country free anddefended your right to Freedom. He has experienced deprivation and adversity,and has seen his buddies falling to bullets and maimed and blown.

But,

He has asked nothing in return, except our acknowledgement of hisexistence and understanding of his human needs.Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with hisblood.And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in thistradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . ..A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

'Lord, hold our Indian Armed Forces in your loving hands.Protect them as they protect us.Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they performfor us in our time of need.Amen.'

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayerfor our soldier, sailors , and airmen , in all frontiersThere is nothing attached...This can be very powerful...Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, Sailor, or Airman,prayer is the very best one.

I can't break this one, sorry.Pass it on to everyone and pray for the Indian soldiers, sailors and airmen.And unlike your 'Babus' or 'Netas'